Alert: Pesticide Protections & Support for Farmers
Photo Credit: Marie Eriel Hobro
Please take a moment to submit testimony for each of these bills today. Sample testimony is provided below, but personalize as you see fit!
The legislative session is off to a busy start! Four of our priority bills have been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment on Monday, Feb. 6th at 1pm. Two of these priority bills will provide additional pesticide protections and the two others support regenerative and indigenous farming practices.
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
HEARING DATE: Monday, February 6, 2023
TIME: 1:00PM
PLACE: Conference Room 224 & Videoconference
Testimony for all the following bills is due Sunday, Feb 5th at 1pm.
Pesticide Protection Measures:
SB1009 - Reclassifies Neonics as a Restricted Use Pesticide
Amends the definition of "restricted use pesticide" to include neonicotinoid pesticides.
Background
Neonicotinoids, a widely used class of insecticides developed in the 1990s, are believed to be particularly harmful. Unlike traditional insecticides applied to the surface of plants, neonicotinoids are absorbed into plant tissue and can be present in pollen and nectar, making them accessible to pollinators. At least 10 states—California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon and Vermont—have enacted legislation aimed at shielding pollinators from the effects of pesticides.
Neonics can escape the target plant and contaminate whole ecosystems.
Over the last two decades, neonicotinoid (neonics) pesticides, or neonics, have swiftly become the most widely used class of insecticides globally.
Because neonics are not considered Restricted Use Pesticides, we have no idea what types and in what amounts these pesticides are being used throughout Hawaiʻi
Talking Points
Neonics pose significant risk to humans, pollinators and environmental health. Recently they were linked to sudden nosebleeds, constant coughing, and passing out while exercising in Mead, Nebraska. In addition to the human toll, the community saw livestock health problems and deaths, as well as “bee kills” (sudden colony collapse). Neonics have the ability to kill bees with extraordinarily low levels of exposure.
Neonics pose significant effects on insects, soil and water. Neonicotinoids often exceed existing regulatory guidelines in surface waters and represent a significant risk to water quality and diverse aquatic and terrestrial fauna that these ecosystems support.
Evidence continues to mount that neonic use is a major contributor to the declines of birds and fish. Research has also linked exposure in the womb with birth defects in deer as well as higher rates of death for fawns. Neonics and their breakdown products (metabolites), like other chemical pesticide compounds, can readily transfer from mother to fetus.
Several animal studies have reported adverse effects of neonics on sperm, and prenatal exposure to neonics increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities and birth defects. While more research is needed, these harms found to animals raise human health concerns.
Additionally, a systematic review of publicly available literature reported a link between human neonic exposures and malformations of the developing heart and brain, as well as symptoms that include memory loss and finger tremors.
There is currently no reporting of neonic use in Hawaiʻi because it is not classified as an RUP. SB1009 would reclassify neonics as RUPs would therefore allow for better oversight and reporting.
Efforts to reduce the harm posed to communities, pollinators, and our environment from neonic use in Hawaiʻi starts with inclusion of them as RUPs.
Please support SB1009. Thank you for your consideration.
Additional Information
Several states have already stepped up to protect communities from the harms of neonics. Maine led the way, in June 2021, prohibiting the use of most neonics in residential landscapes.
In 2022, New Jersey passed a law that prohibits outdoor, non-agricultural neonic uses, likely up to 70% of neonic uses in the state.
Also in 2022 New York developed the “Birds and Bees Protection Act,” which bans neonic-treated seeds, ornamental and turf neonic uses, and requires the state to take a hard look at other neonic uses. This measure even moves to completely ban neonic-treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds.
California is also taking action against neonics with a proposed policy that would ban nearly all non-agricultural uses of the pesticides.
The EU banned neonics years ago.
Sample Testimony
Aloha,
Neonics pose significant risk to humans, pollinators and environmental health. Recently they were linked to sudden nosebleeds, constant coughing, and passing out while exercising in Mead, Nebraska. In addition to the human toll, the community saw livestock health problems and deaths, as well as “bee kills” (sudden colony collapse). Neonics have the ability to kill bees with extraordinarily low levels of exposure.
Neonics pose significant effects on insects, soil and water. Neonicotinoids often exceed existing regulatory guidelines in surface waters and represent a significant risk to water quality and diverse aquatic and terrestrial fauna that these ecosystems support.
Evidence continues to mount that neonic use is a major contributor to the declines of birds and fish. Research has also linked exposure in the womb with birth defects in deer as well as higher rates of death for fawns. Neonics and their breakdown products (metabolites), like other chemical pesticide compounds, can readily transfer from mother to fetus.
Several animal studies have reported adverse effects of neonics on sperm, and prenatal exposure to neonics increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities and birth defects. While more research is needed, these harms found to animals raise human health concerns.
Additionally, a systematic review of publicly available literature reported a link between human neonic exposures and malformations of the developing heart and brain, as well as symptoms that include memory loss and finger tremors.
There is currently no reporting of neonic use in Hawaiʻi because it is not classified as an RUP. SB1009 would reclassify neonics as RUPs would therefore allow for better oversight and reporting.
Efforts to reduce the harm posed to communities, pollinators, and our environment from neonic use in Hawaiʻi starts with inclusion of them as RUPs.
Please support SB1009. Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Residence/Town
SB1011 - Improves Pesticide (RUP) Use Reporting
Requires monthly rather than annual reporting of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information, site information, and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the department of agriculture to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides.
Background
While Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, made steps to provide mandatory disclosure of Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) use in Hawaiʻi, it has been difficult to access this information in a way that makes sense and is useful for the public and concerned citizens.
Act 45 established requirements intended to address pesticide abuse in Hawaii, including requiring all users of restricted use pesticides to annually report on their use of restricted use pesticides to the department of agriculture. However, robust and meaningful analysis of environmental and public health impacts of pesticides is contingent on more comprehensive reporting.
Talking Points
The reporting for RUP (Restricted Use Pesticide) use data in Hawaiʻi, has only recently started to become available. Because of poor reporting, it has taken considerable effort to make sense of the data, do the calculations, and format them into consistent metrics.
RUP data needs to include actual geospatial data that helps to better understand the actual location the pesticide was applied to.
Pesticide exposure can cause significant harm to public health and the environment. Restricted use pesticides have been deemed to have a high potential to cause harm to surrounding communities, farm workers, pollinators, the environment, and other crops. As such, comprehensive pesticide use data is essential to accurately assess risks and ensure that communities are protected from adverse impacts.
Currently, users are required to report the address, tax map key, and location of the application site but are not required to provide specific geospatial data that could provide comprehensive mapping of pesticide impacts. This poses difficulties to communities who live adjacent to large tracts of agricultural land.
According to the state sponsored Joint Fact Finding Group study, Pesticide Use by Large Agribusinesses on Kaua‘i (2016), "more information is needed about the time and place of applications along with greater oversight to ensure compliance on all Islands.
California appears to lead the nation in studies of chronic health effects and/or associations with pesticide use. They are able to reach this level of scientific inquiry because they require careful reporting of pesticide applications that specify what was sprayed, where, when, and in what quantities." Improved reporting in Hawaii can provide policymakers and public health experts with important data with which to make evidence based decisions about pesticide use.
Please support SB1011. Thank you for your consideration.
Sample Testimony
Please support SB1011. The reporting for RUP (Restricted Use Pesticide) use data in Hawaiʻi, has only recently started to become available. Because of poor reporting, it has taken considerable effort to put the data into a format that is accessible to local communities.
Communities have sought access to the data for over a decade, yet the current reporting format by the DOA only shows the total amount by island. RUP data needs to include actual geospatial data that helps to better understand the actual location the pesticide was applied to.
Pesticide exposure can cause significant harm to public health and the environment. Restricted use pesticides have been deemed to have a high potential to cause harm to surrounding communities, farm workers, pollinators, the environment, and other crops. As such, comprehensive pesticide use data is essential to accurately assess risks and ensure that communities are protected from adverse impacts.
Currently, users are required to report the address, tax map key, and location of the application site but are not required to provide specific geospatial data that could provide comprehensive mapping of pesticide impacts. This poses difficulties to communities who live adjacent to large tracts of agricultural land.
According to the state sponsored Joint Fact Finding Group study, Pesticide Use by Large Agribusinesses on Kaua‘i (2016), "more information is needed about the time and place of applications along with greater oversight to ensure compliance on all Islands.
California appears to lead the nation in studies of chronic health effects and/or associations with pesticide use. They are able to reach this level of scientific inquiry because they require careful reporting of pesticide applications that specify what was sprayed, where, when, and in what quantities." Improved reporting in Hawaii can provide policymakers and public health experts with important data with which to make evidence based decisions about pesticide use.
Thank you for your consideration.
Your Name, Residence/Town
Support for Regenerative and Indigenous Farming Practices
SB967 - Organic Food Producers Tax Credit
Establishes an organic foods production tax credit for farmers investing into the organic certification process.
Sample Testimony
Aloha,
Providing additional support to Hawaii's organic agriculture industry could help to reduce reliance on agricultural imports and to foster job growth in the State. Organic farming practices improves soil fertility and structure, promotes biodiversity, and reduces the risks of human, animal, and environmental exposure to toxic materials. Reducing the burden on the emerging number of small farmers seeking costly, but necessary, organic certifications and inspections will help to promote the production and availability of locally-grown organic food in Hawaii.
Thank you for your consideration.
Your Name, Residence/Town
SB1499 - Exempts Taro Production from GE Tax
Exempts income derived from the business of taro cultivation or production of taro products from the income tax. Exempts from the general excise tax the gross proceeds or income received from the sale of any product resulting from the cultivation and production of unprocessed taro.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha,
Our kalo farmers face a myriad of challenges from the high cost of land in Hawaii to increasingly unpredictable weather conditions due to climate change. Most local farmers struggle to compete with the cost of imports.
SB1499 will help Hawaiʻiʻs kalo farmers by exempting them from general excise tax.
Providing financial incentives for kalo farmers is an important step towards supporting Indigenous food ways, farming, and food security for Hawaiʻi. Supporting kalo farming and farmers will also help keep traditional Native Hawaiian cultural practices alive.
Kalo farmers need and deserve support to ensure kalo farming continues to grow and expand into the future. This measure helps to incentivize farmers to grow taro, one of the healthiest staple starch foods available.
Kalo lands provide ecological and environmental buffers against flooding. Kalo lands are intricately connected to the protection of our riparian areas, coastal wetlands, and fishponds. Kalo lands are celebrated as important and sacred places in Hawaiian traditions and stories and often farmed by families for generations.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Residence/Town
